Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal - FTC

IVC; Carlow; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

22 days annual leave

Birthday leave

Cycle to Work scheme

EAP and wellbeing centre access

Paid bereavement leave

Company pension contributions

Discounted staff veterinary fees

Free flu jabs

Job summary

Vet Care Carlow is seeking a Registered Veterinary Nurse to join our busy small animal practice on a full-time, fixed-term basis to provide maternity leave cover for six months.

This role offers excellent exposure to inpatient care, theatre nursing, anaesthesia monitoring, laboratory work, nurse consultations, patient admissions and discharges, and support for veterinary surgeons with medical and surgical cases.

Qualifications

• Must be a RVN registered with the relevant regulatory body.
• Full-time fixed-term maternity cover for six months.
• Excellent communication and client-facing skills.

Responsibilities

• Inpatient care and theatre nursing across a varied caseload.
• Anaesthesia monitoring and assistance with surgical cases.
• Laboratory work, nurse consultations, admissions and discharges.
• Support veterinarians with medical and surgical cases.

Skills

RVN

Communication

Teamwork

Clinical skills

Education

Registered Veterinary Nurse qualification

Job description

Veterinary Nurse - Small Animal

Vet Care Carlow, Co. Carlow

Full-time, Fixed-Term Contract (6 Months Maternity Leave Cover)

Salary €32,000 to €35,360 DOE

Join a Supportive and Friendly Team

Vet Care Carlow is seeking a Registered Veterinary Nurse to join our welcoming small animal practice on a full-time, fixed-term basis to provide maternity leave cover for six months.

This is an excellent opportunity for an RVN looking to gain valuable experience in a busy first-opinion practice. We welcome applications from both experienced nurses and newly qualified graduates, with full training and support available for those starting their veterinary nursing career.

We are looking for a proactive and enthusiastic individual with excellent communication skills, a positive attitude, and a genuine passion for delivering outstanding patient care. The successful candidate will become part of a close-knit and supportive team committed to providing high-quality veterinary care with a compassionate and client-focused approach.

The Role

As a Veterinary Nurse within our small animal team, you will be responsible for a wide range of nursing duties and will play a key role in the day-to-day running of the practice.

A typical day will involve inpatient care, theatre nursing, anaesthesia monitoring, laboratory work, nurse consultations, patient admissions and discharges, and supporting the veterinary surgeons with both medical and surgical cases. You will have the opportunity to work across a varied caseload, including routine preventative healthcare, medical investigations, emergency appointments, and surgical procedures.

This position offers excellent exposure to all aspects of first-opinion nursing and would suit a nurse who enjoys a varied workload and thrives in a busy clinical environment.

Working Pattern

This is a full-time position working Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 6:00pm, with a one-hour lunch break each day.

There are no out-of-hours, weekend or bank holiday commitments, allowing for an excellent work-life balance.

Our Practice

Vet Care Carlow is a busy and well-established small animal practice located on Tullow Road, Carlow. We are dedicated to providing high-quality veterinary care while delivering a friendly and compassionate service, treating every pet as if they were our own.

Our practice offers a comprehensive range of services, including preventative healthcare, medical investigations, diagnostic imaging, in-house laboratory testing, dentistry, soft tissue surgery, and nurse clinics. We combine modern facilities with a strong emphasis on client communication and support, ensuring the highest standards of care for both patients and owners.

Conveniently located within Carlow town, the practice provides veterinary care to pets throughout Carlow and the surrounding counties and benefits from excellent access to local amenities and transport links.

The successful candidate will join a supportive and collaborative team consisting of one experienced Veterinary Surgeon, two qualified Veterinary Nurses and one Receptionist. Teamwork, mutual support and high clinical standards are at the heart of everything we do.

What We Offer

We are committed to supporting our people and creating a workplace where you can thrive. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including generous annual leave, wellbeing support, paid professional memberships, and structured development opportunities.

You will have access to:

Work-life balance

• 22 days annual leave
• Birthday leave

Focus on employee wellbeing

• Paid maternity, paternity and adoptive leave packages
• Cycle to Work scheme
• EAP and wellbeing centre access
• Paid bereavement leave
• Company sick pay

Development

• €600 annual CPD allowance with 3 days’ paid CPD leave (pro rata)
• Bespoke Graduate Nurse Academy, Nurse Evolve and many more in-house academies
• Funding for Certificates, Diplomas and PhDs
• Leadership Academy for future leaders, including Head Nurses and Practice Managers
• Career progression opportunities

Professional Memberships

• VCI membership paid
• VDS cover paid

Additional Benefits

• Annual pay reviews
• Pawsome benefits - retail discounts, virtual gym and more
• Employee pension contributions
• Discounted staff pet veterinary fees
• Free flu jabs
• Opportunity to join company programmes including LGBTQIA+, Wellbeing Champions, Clinical Board and many more

Why Join Us

At Vet Care Carlow, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional patient care within a friendly, supportive and team-oriented environment. We believe in supporting our people to learn, develop and enjoy their careers while making a meaningful difference to the lives of pets and their owners.

Whether you are an experienced RVN seeking a new opportunity or a recent graduate looking for your first role in practice, this position offers the chance to gain hands‑on experience across all aspects of small animal nursing while working alongside a dedicated and experienced clinical team.

We would love to hear from you.